This increase in cohabitation did not fully explain the decline in marriage, the ONS said, because its research found fewer women aged between 25 and 29 were forming any union - either marriage or cohabitation - before the age of 25.

"This suggests a delay in partnership formation for younger generations of women," it said.

Health effects

The two groups least likely to have got married before the age of 45 are men with no qualifications and highly-qualified women, the ONS said.

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House prices are currently the main obstacle to stable family life and stable parenting